Fulani Herdsmen convert Abuja Stadium for grazing field

Fulani herdsmen have converted the National Stadium, Abuja, into a fertile land for cattle pasture as weeds overtake the package B section of the $360m facility.

Fresh and dried cow dung could be seen on the asphalt within the complex showing that the animals regularly graze on the grasses at the stadium.

The security officials manning the gate blamed the sports ministry for the deterioration in the condition of the stadium – and for giving the herdsmen unhindered access to the stadium, which hosted the 2003 All Africa Games won by Nigeria.

Another guard described the presence of the herdsmen and their cattle at the stadium as “an embarrassment”, but noted that the security unit was helpless to stop them.

He said, “We can’t stop them because we are not armed, and they (sports ministry) have refused to engage policemen to beef up the security around the stadium.

“Look at weeds everywhere on the premises and they have refused to engage someone to clear the weeds. Maybe the government is trying to save money by allowing the animals to graze on weeds.”

Meanwhile, the velodrome (an arena for cycling) at the stadium complex has been under lock and key since 2015, after thousands of gas stoves bought ahead of the general elections that year were stored in it by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Read More from source